Sheet material handling device



Dec. 31, 1963 M. H. DocKl-:N

sHEET MATERIA HANDLING DEvIcE Filed March 28. 1962 N mm WM lu. w u w m.

A 7' TORN! K5 United States Patent G'Wi Watts Paten'ted Dec. 31, 1963 3,116,084 SHEET MATERIA HANDLING DEVICE Melford 1-1. Doclren, 6448 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, Mina. Filed Mar. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 183,258 Claims. ('Cl. 294-16) This invention relates to a hand operated material handling apparatus and more particularly to 'a small and temporary mechanical clamping device for use in the hand carrying of large sheets of stiff but bendable materials such as plaster board, plywood, and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a small hand operated sheet material carrying a-pparatus which readily lends itself to quick and easily adjustable attachment to one or more sheets of stilf but bendable material, the apparatus being tightly clamped 'upon the material to hold the same while also providing a handle for subsequent carrying by 'an individual. To this end, two or more sheets of multiple thickness will be accommodated.

It is another object to provide an apparatus as set forth above wherein lifting upon the handle will cause increased self-clamping forces to be imparted to the sheet material, the arnount of increase being proportional to the weight of the material being carried.

A further object is to provide a material carrying apparatus which will clamp upon the material without marring or (lefacing the same and which clamps upon the material in -a manner whercby the material will be carried in a Vertical position thus preventing bending and possible breakage thereof due to the buckling weight of the material itself.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus as set forth above which is simple to operate and economcal in design and construction.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views yand in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the material handling device shown clamped to `a pair of Sheet boards, the latter having portions thereof removed beyond the broken line. 'This view also shows the cam lever in an unclamping and a clamping position.

FIGURE 2 is also a perspective view, however, with the sheet material removed and with the cam lever in an unclamping position.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 2 but with the cam lever swung to a clamping position.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of FIG- URE 1 taken on line 4-4.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged segmental view of FIGURE 4 showing the adjustable means for securing the elements of this invention together.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of FIGURE 5.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 1, the material handling device 10 is shown clamped to a pair of Sheet board materials 11 -and 12 which could typically be a pair of plaster boards, a pair of plywood boards, a large pane of glass, a multiple number of sheet boards of differing thicknesses, and the like.

The material handling dev-ice consists primarily 'of a pair of annular rings 13 and 14 which are secured together at diametrically opposite positions by a pair of adjustable fastening mechanisms 15 and 16. Pivotally secured to the fastening mechanism 16 is a cam lever `y17 which terminates outwardly in a hand grip.

-In more detail, each of the rings 13 and 14 is formed by bending a length of pipe into the annular Shape shown. The pipe is preferably of aluminum, or an aluminum alloy since such material is light weight and will bendrelatively easily. Further, such materials are easily kept clean and free from corrosion.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 5, the fastening mechanisms '15 and 16, yas mentioned above, are secured at diametrically opposite positions on the rings 11 and 12. Thus, there is provided a free clamping portion 19 on one side of the fastening mechanisms and a camming portion 20 on the other side. As noted from FlGURE 1, the clamping portion 19 of each ring has an arcuate length thereof which is covered with a protective covering 21. The covering 21 may be of 'any pliable material, preferably of 'a Synthetic material such as plastic or Tefion which is Aalso sufficiently durable to withstand clamping pressures without deformation. The protective covering prevents possible marring of the materials being carried.

The fastening mechanisms 15 and 16 each partially consist of two L-shaped brackets 22 and 23 which are secured, such as by welding, to the rings 13 and 14', respectively. When welding a bracket to a ring, it is convenient -to make the weld at the position where the two ends of each pipe, forming the ring, come together. Thus, a separately welded joint is avoided.

Also forming part of the fastening mechanisms is a bolt 24, which is secured across the L-shaped brackets 22 and 23, a Wing nut 25 which allows a variable spacing adjustment between brackets 22 and 23 (and thus between rings 13 and 14) and a compression spring 26. The spring has its convolutions encircling the bolt 24 and has its ends urging outwardly against each of the brackets 22 and 23 whercby to bias the rings apart. Thus, the planar distance between rings is Controlled by the amount wing nut 25 is threaded upon bolt 24.

In the case of fastening mechanism 16, the spring 26 is split in half and the inner end 27 of cam lever 17 is pivotally secured to the bolt between spring halves 28 and 2%. Each of the bolts 24 of fastening mechanisms 15 and 16 is journaled through its respective L-shaped brackets so that suflicient play will allow a slight pivotal movement of the clamping portions 19 and camming portions 20 about the fastening mechanisms.

As noticed in FIGURES 1 and 4, the cam lever 17 is shaped into an arcuate form which ends outwardly in a handle 18. The cam lever is preferably made from the same pipe material as the rings are, thus requiring only one size of pipe for both rings and cam lever. The handle 18 is secured at the outer end 30 of the cam lever which retains the normal Shape of the pipe. A gradual constriction or neck 31 joins the outer end 30 with a cam segment 32. The cam segment is formed by squeezing the sides of the pipe together thus providing an appreciable bearing surface for the cam portion to ride upon the rings 13 and 14 at their camming portions 20 during a clamping operation.

In the use and operation of the material handling device, reference will be made particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3. When the material or materials are placed between the rings at the clamping sides, as shown in FIG- URE 1, the cam lever is first swung downwardly to the position of FIGURE 2. The Wing nuts 25 are then tightened upon bolts 24 until the sheet materials are clamped slightly by the rings. Referring to FIGURE 2 particularly, it is noticed that the camming portions 20 of each ring are also caused to convey toward each other, upon the tightening of the wing nuts, to a point of minimum separation 33 midway between the fastening mechanisms 15 and 16. It is now readily seen that an upward swing of cam lever 17, as indicated by arrow 34, will cause the cam segment 32 to gradually separate the camming portions 20 as it rides the inner faces 35 and 36. Thus, there will be a separation tendency in the direction of aiiaoea arrows 37 and a reacting convergence tendency of the clamping portions as indicated by arrows 33.

When the handle is finally swung to the position shown in FIGURE 3, the camming portions Zll would be separated as shown. Without a piece of sheet material placed between clamping portions 19, they would be converged as shown. iowever, if a piece of sheet material was placed between the clamping portions, they would converge only slghtly yet firmly grasp or clamp against the sheet material There is thus a substantially fiat gripping action by the clarnping portions against thevsheet materials, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4, whereby a distributed arcuate line contact is made with the material rather than a point contact. VDepressions and marring of the material is thereby reduced to a minimum.

lt will be noted that for a considerable length of the cam lever, namely cam segment 32, the camming action is derived from the gradual separation of the camming portions of the rings. However, when the cam lever is raised to the position shown in FIGURE 3, no more cammin" actionv'can be derived by further raising the cam lever, since beyond the point of minimum separation 33, the camming portions of the rings diverge. Thus, the cam lever is provided with the gradual restriction 31 which greatly increases the separation of the rings in a short degree of upward movement of the lever. If the Wing nuts 25 are not tightened sufficiently, then, so that the cam lever is allowed to reach the position as shown in FIGURE 3, the gradual restriction will suflice to give a final separation to the rings to hold the Sheet material.

Once the cam lever is swung upwardly whereby to clamp the Sheet material, the operator may then lift upwardly on the handle 18 and thus lift the material handling device lll as well as the sheet material. If the Sheet material is heavy and requires additional clamping force of the rings, it will be readily recognized that the mere weight of the sheet material alone will cause the cam lever to further diverge the camming portions of the rings and thus the clamping portions will tend to converge more forcefully, thereby holding the sheet material securely.

Thus, in econoniical and eihcient manner of design and construction a material handling device is provided which is easily and conveniently operated with a minimum of elfort. Although only one clamping device is shown in the drawing, it is to be'` understood that for large sheets of material, one material handling device may be placed at each end and thus aford convenient and easy carrying by two individuals.

lt will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is ciaimed:

1. A material handling device comprising,

(a) a pair of rings placed coaxially side by side,

(b) a pair of rockable connections between said rings respectively at diametrically opposed upper and lower positions for rockably holding said pair of rings in substantially coaxial position, andV (c) an elongated cam means pivotally attached at the lower rockable connection and adapted to be moved between said rings for increasing the planar spacing at one side thereof and rocking the diametrically il opposite side about said rockabie connections whereby to decrease the planar spacing thereof,

(d) said shiftable cam means having a hand grip adapted to be grasped by an individual whereby to actuate said cam means upon upward movcment of the hand grip.

2. An adjustable material handling device comprising,

(a) a pair of annular rings of substantially similar dimensions placed coaxially side by side,

(b) a pair of fastening means each positioned at dlametrically opposite sides of said rings for pivotally holding said pair of rings in coaxial position,

(c) said fastening means being adjustable to provide lesser and greater planar spacing of said rings,

' (d) a shiftable cam means for separating the planar spacing of said rings at one side of said fastening means and pivoting the diametrically opposite sides about said fastening means to converge them toward each other, and

(e) a hand grip associated. with said shiftable cam means whereby lifting of said hand grip upwardly will cause said opposite sides to tend further toward convergence.

3. An adjustable sheet material handling device comprising,

(a) a pair of annular rings of substantially similar dimensions and tubular cross section placed coaxially side by side,

(b) a first and second vadjustable fastening means securing said rings together at diametrically opposite positions and adapted to draw said rings toward each other,

(c) bias means associated with said `first and second adjustable fastenng means for urging said rings apart from each other,

(d) a shiffable cam means secured at its inner end to said first adjustable fastening means for counteractantly pivoting both of said rings about said fastening means by gradually separating said rings at one side of said first and second fastening means whereupon the opposite sides will be caused to converge, and

(e) a hand grip at the outer end of said cam means which is adapted for upward movement to thus cause the camming action on said rings said hand grip also being adapted for supporting the weight of a piece of sheet material when placed between said opposite sides of said rings for carrying purposes.

4. A Sheet material handling device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said opposite sides of said rings are provided with a resilient protective covering whereby a piece of sheet material will not be marre'd when said opposite sides are caused to converge upon said she'et material.

5. A sheet material handling device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said shiftable cam means comprises an arcuate member with progressively increasing width beginning toward its inner end and extending outwardly toward said hand grip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,729,l14 Louviaux Sept. 24, 1929 

1. A MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE COMPRISING, (A) A PAIR OF RINGS PLACED COAXIALLY SIDE BY SIDE, (B) A PAIR OF ROCKABLE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SAID RINGS RESPECTIVELY AT DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED UPPER AND LOWER POSITIONS FOR ROCKABLY HOLDING SAID PAIR OF RINGS IN SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIAL POSITION, AND (C) AN ELONGATED CAM MEANS PIVOTALLY ATTACHED AT THE LOWER ROCKABLE CONNECTION AND ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BETWEEN SAID RINGS FOR INCREASING THE PLANAR SPACING AT ONE SIDE THEREOF AND ROCKING THE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE SIDE ABOUT SAID ROCKABLE CONNECTIONS WHEREBY TO DECREASE THE PLANAR SPACING THEREOF, (D) SAID SHIFTABLE CAM MEANS HAVING A HAND GRIP ADAPTED TO BE GRASPED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHEREBY TO ACTUATE SAID CAM MEANS UPON UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE HAND GRIP. 